Reviews

scene, the endless violence and bloodshed that the children in this book endure, as well as Beauregard’s nauseatingly detailed description of old lady vagina (that I will never be able to get out of my head by the way, thanks Aron!), you will find a book that is about the effects of prolonged trauma and the constant itching fantasy of breaking free from the metaphorical leash that abusers tie to the necks of their victims. In my opinion this book was never about the children, but rather Rock, the stoic, muscly man who deeply fears the decrepit old woman who has abused him in every way possible his entire life. The way Beauregard describes Rock’s thoughts on his abusive situation were so relatable to me, despite having a completely different situation. It honestly made me wonder if the author had trauma of his own. Rock was honestly the best character I have seen in a book as graphic and over the top as this one.

Content Warnings

abryan12's review against another edition

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dark sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

If children had to endure a Saw film. Playground is disturbing yet intoxicating. At times I hated what I read but I could not bring myself to put it down.

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mmehl23's review against another edition

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2.5

Ummmm I had heard this book was disturbing, but being a fan of horror and fine with gore I decided to give it a try. I wish I could go back to the Marissa before she read this book because it was just gross for the sake of being gross? Not my cup of tea 🥲

madisonmesecher's review against another edition

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3.0

it's not the author, it's me tbh

edit: i think about this too often so now it's 3 stars

suzydelong's review against another edition

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dark tense

4.0

pabsies's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Some descriptions of events and the antagonist were so over-the-top that at times I couldn‘t take it seriously. Nonetheless, i found myself not being able to put the book down. Of course, it was incredibly gorey, I mean look at the cover of the book, that was to be expected. Did the gore add anything? No, not really. It felt kind of unnecessary even, kids being in life-threatening situations already gets the message across imo, but I suppose it wouldn‘t be splatterpunk otherwise. I pictured Geraldine as Izma from Emperor‘s New Groove and just couldn’t take her or her motive seriously at all. It just seemed too comical.
That being said, I actually loved the underlying story of it all. Rock‘s background story, pent up rage that eventually reaches its climax and kind of a heartbreaking ending is honestly all this book needed. Him seeing himself in little Donnie was adorable and soul crushing.
I do not regret reading this book at all. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone else though.

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